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Bookcase Headboard Plans
A headboard that is also a bookshelf: a shallow cabinet a little wider than the mattress, standing behind the bed. Below the mattress line it is closed by the back; above it, a shelf at mattress height and cubbies hold books, a lamp and a phone. A woodworking headboard project with storage built in.
- Default size
- 1400 × 1100 × 250 mm
- Parts
- 8 pieces · 6 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 carcass + 1 back
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Build time
- About 5 hours
- Edge band
- 6.6 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side | 2 | 1100 | 250 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Top | 1 | 1464 | 250 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Bottom | 1 | 1464 | 250 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
3 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- Set the shelf at the height of the top of the mattress, so things on it are within reach from bed.
- Screw the headboard to the wall studs, and the bed frame to the headboard.
- The part below the shelf is hidden by the mattress: it needs no edge banding.
Common mistakes
- Making it deep: the bed moves away from the wall and pillows fall behind.
- Not fixing it to the wall: a shallow, tall box tips forward.
Tools you need
- Track saw or table saw
- Drill/driver
- Edge banding iron
- Stud finder
Frequently asked questions
How tall should a headboard be?
About 500–700 mm (20–28 in) above the mattress, so 1000–1300 mm from the floor for most beds.
How wide should a headboard be?
The width of the mattress plus 50–100 mm (2–4 in): the plan adds 100 mm.
How deep can a bookcase headboard be?
About 200–300 mm (8–12 in). Every centimetre moves the bed away from the wall, so keep it shallow.
Related guides
French CleatTwo strips bevelled at 45° that lock a cabinet, shelf or headboard to the wall: what a French cleat is, how to make one from plywood and how to space a tool wall.Headboard DimensionsHeadboard sizes for every bed: width and height for twin, full, queen, king and California king, in inches and cm, and how high to hang a headboard.How to Build a Bed FrameHow to build a wooden bed frame for any mattress: platform or slats, the right inside size, a centre support with legs, slat spacing and fixing on a headboard.
